Black volcanic rock and turquoise water on a Hawaiian coast

Islands & volcanoes

Hawaii Cruises

Discover the lush valleys and active volcanoes of Hawaii effortlessly as your ship carries you from island to island, eliminating the need for inter-island flights or rental cars. For a truly epic Pacific crossing, longer sailings from San Diego, Los Angeles, or Vancouver can even carry you as far as the pristine waters of Tahiti and Moorea.

Enjoy long port stays on inter-island sailings, frequently overnighting so you can experience an authentic evening luau—complete with kalua pork and poi—or watch the sunset from a black-sand beach. If sailing from California or Vancouver, you will spend several days at sea crossing the Pacific before reaching the islands, making the voyage itself a major part of your vacation. We recommend booking extra nights on Oahu to visit Pearl Harbor before your ship sets sail.

Request a quote What you can do in port

Compare cruise lines Departure ports

Norwegian's Pride of America stays among the Hawaiian islands and returns to Honolulu. Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity sail from San Diego, Los Angeles, or Vancouver. Those cruises spend several days at sea before the islands, and some continue to Tahiti. Ships stop at Maui.

The green cliffs of the Na Pali coast above turquoise water — The Na Pali coast is on Kauai. You see it from the water, not from the pier.

Tell us which islands you want time on. Inter-island sailings often stay into the evening, which is when a luau works: kalua pig, cooked in an underground oven, and poi, pounded taro. You can also stay for sunset on a black-sand beach. A cruise from California or Vancouver spends several days at sea before the islands, and those days are part of the vacation. Extra nights on Oahu let you see Pearl Harbor before the ship ever sails.

A green sea turtle in clear water beside a black-sand beach — Black sand and clear water, with a green sea turtle in the shallows.

The usual stops

Oahu & Pearl Harbor
Maui, on the sailings that stop there
Hanalei Bay on Kauai's north shore
Honolulu, on every round trip
Tahiti and Moorea, on longer sailings from San Diego, Los Angeles, or Vancouver
Fiji & the South Pacific, on the longer runs

In port

Snorkel with sea turtles directly from the ship or via a kayak excursion.
Drive the scenic Road to Hana from Kahului.
Enjoy an authentic plantation lunch on the island.
Experience a traditional luau on evenings with late departures, featuring kalua pig cooked in an underground oven and pounded taro poi.
Visit Pearl Harbor in the morning, followed by a relaxing afternoon at the beach.

The sail between the islands takes longer than a short Caribbean cruise, and Pride of America often stays into the evening. You might use that time at a beach, in the car, or on the north shore. Pearl Harbor is easier before or after a California crossing, while you are staying on Oahu. A luau still needs the ship in port after dark.

When to go

Ships sail among the islands year-round. In winter the seas are gentlest, and humpbacks are in the islands. The ports are busier in summer. If you are not already in Hawaii, a longer cruise from San Diego can continue to Tahiti.

A sea turtle in clear shallows beside black volcanic sand

In port

What to expect in port

Time between the islands runs longer than a Caribbean stop. Pride of America often stays into the evening. A luau still needs the ship in port after dark.

Time in port: Inter-island ships often overnight. A sailing from San Diego, Los Angeles, or Vancouver spends more days just getting there.
Worth the time: Stop on Oahu to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. After that, you can order a plate lunch: rice, macaroni salad, and a meat such as kalua pork or chicken katsu.
Travelers: This suits people who want time in the islands. An inter-island cruise stays among the islands. A cruise from California spends more nights at sea to get there. The stop has to match the one you booked.
Also: Hana Bay, the black-sand beach, and the food stands are in Hana. The ship docks in Kahului. Hana is about two and a half hours from the pier.

In port

Where the ship docks, and what you can do there

Pride of America stays among the islands and often remains into the evening. A crossing from California has fewer hours in Honolulu.

See the ports

Sample itineraries

These are typical routings and ports. Ships, dates, and fares change.

An outrigger canoe on a Hawaiian beach, with cliffs behind it — An outrigger canoe on the sand, with the cliffs behind the beach.

Between the Hawaiian islands

7 nights

Year-round

Honolulu round trip

Pride of America style or a line that stays overnight in the islands

Maui
Kauai
Hilo or Kona
A second night in a port when the ship offers it

Honolulu and the water — Pride of America starts in Honolulu and stays among the islands.

California or Vancouver to the islands

10–18 nights to Hawaii. Add about a week if the ship continues to Tahiti

Winter, when the humpbacks are near the islands

San Diego, Los Angeles, or Vancouver, either one way or round trip

Holland America, Princess, or Celebrity from California

Honolulu
A neighbor island
Tahiti and Moorea on the longer runs

Planning Hawaii Cruises?

Say whether you are already in the islands or leaving from California. The flight, or the extra sea days, belongs in the quote.